African violet plant named Gemini

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Gemini characterized by its single, bright pink flowers with darker pink center; strong, upright flower stems that curve toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, serrated girl-type leaves; profuse flowering, vigorous growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its long-lasting and non-dropping flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Gemini.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation G 91/26, and is a product of a plannedbreeding program. The new cultivar was originated from a cross made byme in the controlled breeding program in Haffen, Federal Republic ofGermany. The female, or seed parent was a cultivar designated 40. Themale, or pollen parent was a cultivar designated 47.

Gemini was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Haffen, WestGermany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings, asperformed by me at Haffen, West Germany, has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivarare firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

Gemini has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and values describe the newcultivar as grown in Haffen, West Germany and Nashville, Tenn. undergreenhouse conditions which closely approximate those generally used incommercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Gemini, which in combination distinguishthis African violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

(1) Strong, upright flower stems curving toward the center.

(2) Bright pink single flowers.

(3) Profuse flowering.

(4) Each plant carries 7-8 and more upright flower stems, each of whichcarries 9-11 flowers.

(5) Long lasting, non-dropping flowers.

(6) Vigorous grower.

(7) Plant saleable 10 to 11 weeks after potting.

(8) Seed capsules push slightly through.

(9) Medium green girl-type leaf, wavy, serrated, with a bright lightgreen center.

(10) After maturity the flowers dry off and remain on the pedunclewithout becoming infected by botrytis.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimenplant of the new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are astrue as possible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS), except where general colors ofordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken undernatural sunlight conditions at approximately 1 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

Botanical Classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat., c.v. Gemini.

Parentage:

Male parent.--47.

Female parent.--40.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings.

Plant: From 10 cm to 11 cm tall when grown in pots, and approximately18-20 cm in diameter when fully grown.

Leaves.--General form: Oval, girl-type. Diameter: 60-70 mm. Texture:Velvety. Aspect: Shiny, wavy, serrated, slightly hairy, bright lightgreen center. Veins: Upperside: well visible, light green radiating fromthe center; underside: very well pronounced, light green, shiny, onyoung leaves slightly purplish. Color (upperside): Yellow-Green Group147 between A and B. Color (underside): Greyed-Green Group 193 B.Petiole: Strong upright, light green with purplish touch, hairy.

Flowers.--Buds: Bell-shaped, 7-8 mm just before opening, purplish green.Sepals: Five (5). Color: Green with purplish touch. Calyx: Shape:Funnel-shaped. Aspect: Spear-shaped, hairy. Peduncle: Character: Strongupright, hairy. Color: Purplish red. Individual flowers: Size: 35-40 mm.Shape: Single violet-shaped (3 large and 2 small petals), the sizedifference becomes very pronounced on older flowers. Color (upperside):Red-Purple Group 74 D, center 74 C. Under cooler temperatures and moreintensive lighting, the pink color tends to intensify. Color(underside): Red-Purple Group 74 between C and D. Borne: Each flowerstem carries 9-11 flowers on strong, upright peduncles that are freestanding above the leaves, thereby forming a compact bouquet. FloweringHabit: Flowers 10-11 weeks after potting.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Two (2). Anthers: 2 composed of 4 anthercells, seed capsule pushes slightly through. Filaments: Yellowish greenwith pink traces, 4 mm long. Pollen Color: Yellow Group 7 A. Styles: 6mm long, pink, base of ovary light green and hairy.

Roots.--normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownishwhen older.

Disease resistance: Good.

General observations: Gemini has a very attractive appearance due to itsmedium green, serrated leaves with a light green center. A tight bouquetof flowers free standing above the leaves develops after approximately10-11 weeks. Each of the 7-8 and more flower stems carries 9-11 brightpink single violet-shaped flowers. The pink color in the center of theflower is darker, especially on the two small petals. Occasionally, 1-2additional small petals may develop. The flowers are long-lasting andnon-dropping.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Gemini,as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by itssingle, bright pink flowers with darker pink center; strong, uprightflower stems that curve toward the center to form a compact bouquetabove the leaves; medium green, serrated girl-type leaves; profuseflowering, vigorous growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting,and its long-lasting and non-dropping flowers.